1992’s Universal Soldier is not only among the best of Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme’s body of work, but it is a bonafide sci-fi/action classic. The less said about the two unofficial late ’90s TV movie sequels and Universal Soldier: The Return (1999)*, the better.
When Universal Soldier: Regeneration reared its head over a decade later, most of us were hoping for something decent at best. Instead, we were given something great. Now that same team is back with Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning. Van Damme and Lundgren once again return, but this time action up-and-comer Scott Adkins (Undisputed 2&3, The Expendables 2) is in the lead. The film will hit VOD (courtesty of iTunes) on October 25th and have a limited theatrical release on November 30th. Given that it was shot in 3D, I suggest catching it on the silver screen if you are lucky enough for it to hit your area when the time comes. Until then, here’s a brand new domestic trailer to tide you over…
I like what I’m seeing so far, especially the weird pseudo-Apocalypse Now vibe when it comes to the rogue UniSol army that is seemingly at the command of a Kurtz-esque Luc Deveraux (Van Damme). While they thankfully aren’t “franchise planning” with these, instead simply making stand alone efforts, it will be interesting to see if things are left open at the end of this, given what we’ve been shown so far. Regardless, I’m certainly excited for the film and it will be fun to see Van Damme playing another villain this year. And from the looks of things, the heel turn that Deveraux has taken could be just as…if not more…bizarre that JCVD’s Jean Vilain was in EX2.
This film marks Adkins fourth pairing with Van Damme.
Source | Apple
* – Van Damme’s last wide theatrical release until The Expendables 2 hit theaters a month ago. It has also rightfully been retconned out of the series continuity.